Old and newer techs leaving and hardly any new ones willing to replace them.

[ILENGINE]

I appreciate hearing from you guys, and your life experience and mechanic experience. I am 59 and this is my fourth career (small engines), so don’t have the many years of experience some mechanics have.

Turning a wrench correctly is one thing, however, running a shop, and all the different tasks of being self-employed, is a whole other level. How many good solid mechanics have good solid customer service skills and common sense business skills?

I kind of see that in my area. People think that they work on their own equipment so they could work on other people's equipment. And the two things don't come to reality. So I see people starting lawn mower repair shops in their garages, but within a couple years close up and move onto other endeavors. Working on equipment is one thing, but also running the business side of the operation is beyond most people's skills. And a one man shop can't afford a full time accountant to do the books. Much more time is spend on doing the daily business operations than making money doing the actual paying repairs.

And I am probably one of the younger techs on here at 57 and 27 years of professional experience. And if you want people skills, my prior job was going on other peoples property without their permission, to do something that didn't want done, and threatening me could result in being put in timeout in the back of a squad car while we performed necessary work to a felony conviction.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

When i was training new guys they all didn't do or want to do logical troubleshooting. They would just change parts and if that didn't fix it they were lost. Especially electrical issues and too lazy to learn theory. They would act like reading was for dumb people.

 

[StarTech]

And I am probably one of the younger techs on here at 57 and 27 years of professional experience. And if you want people skills, my prior job was going on other peoples property without their permission, to do something that didn't want done, and threatening me could result in being put in timeout in the back of a squad car while we performed necessary work to a felony conviction.

That is about how one nearly got shot here. Driveway alert didn't go off and the shop alarm did. Poking his nose around my shop using a penlight looking at customers equipment like a thief. When he heard me chamber a shell and yelled hands up, he did so and IDed himself. So glad I didn't have to do the paperwork and clean up. 12Ga with T shot makes one heck of a mess and I don't usually miss either. If you to serve notice of a lawsuit you do it during normal business hours not 10pm in the dark using a penlight.

When i was training new guys they all didn't do or want to do logical troubleshooting. They would just change parts and if that didn't fix it they were lost. Especially electrical issues and too lazy to learn theory. They would act like reading was for dumb people.

Or have one that refuse training say he know all about the repairs. This was at a job I was leaving so I let him at it. He lasted 3 months. I just moved on to the new job and forget about it. Beside I had my hands full learning new equipment during a messy merger. First 6 months it was just putting out fires [emergency repairs].

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I didn't appreciate algebra and several others either , but walk in an educator's shoes that requires the job to teach what the public wants .

I can't recall all of the classes I was in that taught " Why did Ceasir cross the Rubicon ?

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I didn't appreciate algebra and several others either , but walk in an educator's shoes that requires the job to teach what the public wants .

I can't recall all of the classes I was in that taught " Why did Ceasir cross the Rubicon ?

Point of no return and befinning of the end.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

I could make all of you feel old really quick..

 

[StarTech]

I could make all of you feel old really quick..

You don't have to. I really feel old as I know I am not a Spring chicken anymore. Those aches and pains reminds me every day.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

I turn 68 this month but don't feel a day over 90. Was up 25 feet on a ladder this morning nailing siding on a barn.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I turn 68 this month but don't feel a day over 90. Was up 25 feet on a ladder this morning nailing siding on a barn.

Most days I feel good, good attitude, and good energy level. I can still outwork guys in their 20’s and 30’s. If you don’t have physical and mental health it makes everything much worse.

I know we are talking about small engines specifically on this forum, and this thread is addressing running a shop. If you broaden the scope to blue collar work in general, plumbers, HVAC, construction, electrician, etc., my concern is fewer and fewer people want to go into these fields. They are “too good” for it, or it is “beneath” them. All the young people want to go to college. Statistically only about 1 in 4 people actually graduate college with a bachelor degree. If you don’t have a higher education then a skilled trade is a great opportunity. They often don’t have the brains for school, or the desire for a skilled trade. So that is what I am saying we are kind of at in this point in time.

Poor discipline from poor parenting styles over the years, one parent homes, drugs, the internet, are some of the main reasons for results in 2025. I have literally never had anyone that was genuinely interested in learning small engine repair approach me.

Working on your own mower (that you get to know pretty well) and working on just about every brand and model is a whole different ball game. Being a mechanic in a shop and just focusing on that versus running a shop and wearing the multiple hats, is once again a whole different story. People have no idea how difficult some of this stuff can be. The level of patience, persistence, troubleshooting skills, experience is something only select people can do. Then add fielding phone calls, and customers coming into the shop when you are busy, and it can be a daunting challenge.

 

[StarTech]

Most workers have no idea what it takes to run a shop. they come in and do their job and think that is all there is to do.

It doesn't matter what field you're in. If you're running your shop by yourself you have to be a Jack of all trades. Other words you're the owner, employee, salesman, repairman, procurement manager, inventory manager, bookkeeper, complaint department, etc. Here I do it all that along working working multiple OEM brands. Good recording keeping is a must.

And on top of that some customers thinks we are idiots. I just kick out one last week that called and want to know if the equipment was ready even he knew full well he hadn't approved the estimate. He was thinking that I would go ahead and repair the equipment without approval so he could get a free repair. Boy this is an old con that I have seen several times over the years. Hasn't worked yet here.

If I can only stop forgetting where I put my glasses. At least I know where the spare pair is so I can find the ones missing.